Adapting 100G Optical Comm to Unique NASA Small Satellite DSM Applications

Our proposal addresses expanding the bandwidth of free space optical (FSO) communications to 100G for lunar and Lagrange points while using available low-cost and low size, weight, and power (SWaP) technologies. We propose to develop 100G space laser transceiver technology using terrestrial optical fiber communications (fibercom) 100G, photonic integrated circuits, coherent modules for long-range space-based free space optical (FSO) links. Our link budget indicates that 100G-200G is feasible with a ground station telescope of 1-6 meters in diameter, with smaller 10-20 cm satellite telescopes, and can support lunar, L1 and L2 ranges. The SBIR enables extending DSM optical communication to Mars, Venus, Asteroids and planetary bodies and Lagrange points. Key enablers to expand NASA human spaceflight operations, telerobotic, astronaut HD video and SMD science for Lunar missions. Enables NASA Heliophysics vision for affordable, sun-sensing SmallSat constellations at L1, L2 for space weather, astronaut safety missions and SMD heliophysics science. Technical approach leverages terrestrial fibercom photonic integrated circuit (PIC) providing advanced technology at low cost for space. Ready for program insertion in 2025.

NASA state-of-the-art mesh networked lasercomm capability to support SCaN deployment of optical communications. Deep Space & Heliophysics – Space weather, Sun studies out to L1, L2 at 100 Gbps Near Earth science missions – Increased data rate for SmallSat sensors Near Earth and cis-lunar, lunar orbital, Lagrange Point L1, L2 Future NASA SmallSat and CubeSat constellations with science missions that need optical coms to support high data rates including multispectral imaging sensors and radar

DoD and U.S. Government for intelligence imagery. GEO, MEO, LEO CLPS commercial lunar payload services companies High data-rate, low cost commercial optical communications from LEO/GEO satellites

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.